What? Lived in Amsterdam my whole life, only time I get stuck in a tram is when there's an accident (usually a taxi or something) on the track. Cars aren't allowed on tram tracks in 95% of streets where they're on a separate lane. But even then, traffic in the city where trams are is sort of rare, most congestion is on highways where trams obviously aren't a problem.

The trams are certainly not perfect and I like the metro system and look forward to the long overdue noord-zuid, but trams are an important part of the traffic mix, especially in a city in which a new metro line is very difficult.

There are certainly a few notorious streets where the car lane is 80% as wide as it should be, and so cars go on the tram tracks, which can suck during peak hours. But I find that most tracks run on separate heightened tracks completely. If you happen to live in one of these streets and happen to want to take the tram everyday during peak hours I can imagine the frustration. But by and large they're really nice.

You mentioned New York and London, I have to say I get around easier in Amsterdam than I did while I was in these other two cities. That's not to say Trams are amazing, but again, the traffic mix is really nice here in my opinion and trams are a part of that story. And compared to London its pretty affordable, too.